A Dubai-based company has unveiled a mobile robot that could act as the first responder to fires.
The locally made device called Wabel – which means heavy rain – can be sent into dangerous areas that firefighters find difficult to reach.
The robot, whose water flow of 8,000 litres a minute has a range of 100 metres and a height of 50 metres, can start operations before firefighters arrive at the scene of a blaze.
At 220cm long, 150cm wide and a height of 135cm, Wabel looks like a mini tank and comes equipped with cameras and sensors to provide real-time information about the blaze and help firefighters formulate a safer and more effective plan to handle the emergency.
It is not known if the robot will be used by Dubai civil defence or emergency services in the emirate.
A team from FFBOTS, the Emirati firm based in Jebel Ali Industrial area, created the machine in the hope it could be a useful addition to firefighting departments across the UAE and the wider region.
“The robot is not a replacement for firefighters but it provides support for them and preserves lives and property, especially when fires involve high-risk situations such as proximity to oil and gas reservoirs and highly flammable materials that cannot be approached,” said Mohammed Islam, a robotics expert and chief executive of FFBOTS, in a press release.
The robot helps civil defence workers access the heart of the blaze, especially in dangerous situations. These include potential explosions at ammunition depots, toxic chemical fires, nuclear reactor fires, high-temperature oilfield fires and collapsed buildings.
The robot is controlled wirelessly from a distance of up to 1km. It is equipped with four hose inlets and GPS.
Six smart cameras cover every direction to help firefighters make decisions remotely without approaching the flames.
Front-end water sprinklers can cool the front of the robot, while vertical spouts create a fountain to cool it from above. It can also use foam as well as water.
Despite its weight of about a tonne, the robot can climb a gradient of 30 degrees.
Wabel has an inbound audio channel to enable the controller to hear the sounds around the robot.
Powerful headlights enable control officers to see clearly through heavy smoke and its audible siren helps guide others towards it.
“We intend to go global, taking into account the directives of our UAE government that calls for leveraging AI to a maximum to enhance the quality of life and preserve the lives and property through instant response to firefighting operations,” added Mr Islam.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus
To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.
The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.
SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
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